Megan Benoit, Campus Carrier Features Editor
Leo Narrison, Campus Carrier Asst. Features Editor
History majors at Berry College can now supplement their degree with a specific concentration.
The new program is called History + X. It provides students with the opportunity to select one of eight topics to pair with their history courses. The eight concentrations include enterprise, environment, gender, global issues, justice, public, technology and writing.
The unique program was implemented by the history department to provide clarity for students interested in pursuing a history major, but are concerned about possibilities of future careers.
“What we really wanted to do is answer the question that some people have, which is ‘what am I going to do with a history degree?’, and make it more clear,” Associate Professor of History and Department Chair of History Matthew Stanard said.
Students must complete the requirements for a degree in history, then fulfill the additional aspects of the particular concentration. Some additional requirements are minors, internships, studying abroad, and service projects.
“A great advantage of this is that it puts right in front of you ways that you can tap into Berry’s resources, such as great programs, and put them together in ways that make a lot of sense,” Stanard said. “A specific goal of the program is to set out more clearly to some students who might be looking for guidnace on how a history major might play into a particular kind of career.”
This program is mainly directed at future students, but it is open to existing students as well, and some are already expressing interest.
“The history major does not change, so there is a likelihood that we could make it work for current students since a bunch of hours are not added, but it might be a challenge if you are an advanced student,” Stanard said.